What Is FERPA?

The Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) protects the privacy of
student records. FERPA protects students and ensures their educational records
are accurate and secure. FERPA applies to institutions that receive federal aid
by the Secretary of Education.

What rights do I have?

FERPA
maintains the privacy of your student records. It gives students the right to:

1. Inspect and review educational records

Contact
the Welcome Center at any HACC campus to review your records. Ask for a Records
Review Request form. HACC will allow you to review your records within 45 days
of receiving your request.

Students
can request copies of educational records with a fee of $.10 per page. HACC may
refuse to duplicate records if you have outstanding financial obligations.

2. Seek and amend educational records

You
have the right to amend a record if it is inaccurate or misleading. Write to
the Registrar and identify what you want changed. Specify which parts are
inaccurate.

If
HACC chooses not to amend the requested record, we will contact you. We will
explain your right to a hearing. If a student chooses to request a hearing, the
Registrar will appoint a committee. The committee includes one administrator,
one faculty member and a member of the Student Affairs staff. The committee
will hold a hearing with you and discuss your requested amendment.

The
committee must:

Schedule the hearing within 45 days
of the student's request

Record the minutes from the hearing

Follow the "due process" guideline

Give the student the opportunity to
submit more information if they cannot form an agreement

3. Limit disclosure of information

HACC
may not release personal information unless you give written consent. Contact
the Welcome Center at any campus for a Consent to Release Information form.

Are there exceptions to non-disclosure?

There are exceptions to non-disclosure.
The HACC staff can release information without
a student's written consent in the following situations:

Directory information

HACC does not promote the release of
directory information. However, FERPA regulations permit the release of
directory information without written consent. FERPA does not consider
directory information to be harmful or invasive.

Designated directory information includes:

Student name, address and telephone listing

E-mail address

Date of birth

Field of study at HACC

Participation in activities and sports

Dates of attendance at HACC

Degrees and awards

Photograph

Educational institution most recently attended

Enrollment status

Academic level

Non-directory information

HACC can provide non-directory information
to school officials. School officials must have legitimate educational
interest. A school official is:

a person employed by HACC. They serve an administrative, supervisory, academic or support staff role.

a person or company serving as HACC's agent. This agent is providing a service —they include attorneys, auditors or collection agents.

a person serving on the Board of Trustees
a student serving on an official committee. Committees include a disciplinary or grievance committee.

A school official has a legitimate
educational interest if he needs the student's record to fulfill his
responsibilities for HACC. HACC may
release non-directory information without consent in other situations. Student
information may be released to:

parents of dependent students

accrediting organizations

federal, state and local authorities

organizations conducting studies for educational institutions

a subpoena or court order

financial aid representative

health or safety emergency respondents

an alleged victim of a crime of violence

How do I request a non-disclosure?

You can refuse
to permit the release of directory information. Make a request in writing and
contact the Welcome Center on campus for information.

Requesting a non-disclosure may have
negative consequences. For example, HACC cannot confirm your degree to an
employer. Your name will not be listed in the graduation program. Your non-disclosure
request will remain in effect unless you revoke it. You must submit a written
request to revoke your non-disclosure.

Where do I file a complaint?

Students also have the right to file
a complaint if HACC does not comply with FERPA. You can make a complaint
regarding a FERPA violation with the U.S. Department of Education.